“Maybe we can work together in the future.”
“How so?”
Paul remained silent as the couple in the corner at the tables asked for another round of drinks, and as Warren filled cups with soda, he sipped his beer.When they were alone at the bar again, Paul pushed the black leather wallet he had pulled from his back pocket.Neither of them said a word as Warren took it, flipped it open, then stared at Paul in shock.He handed it back, and once it disappeared into Paul’s back pocket, he just raised his brow at Paul.
“Care to explain?”he asked when Paul remained silent.
“Those badges are real.I’m undercover for both the ATF and DEA.I was on assignment for two years out in Arizona.Myself, along with several other agents, my girlfriend included, infiltrated the Devil’s Scorpions.”
He paused when Warren whistled and schooled his shocked expression.“I saw the arrests on the news, you’re telling me you were part of that?”
“I am, so was my girlfriend.”
They stopped talking when they heard several motorcycles pull up outside, and in minutes they were swamped with thirty men and women entering the bar, demanding drinks.Paul sat there and watched them, and once they were served, they went over to the pool tables.The couple in the corner finished eating, and quickly brought their plates to the bar, paid their bill, and left.
“Does that happen often?”Paul asked when Warren asked if he wanted another beer, which he said he did.
“Yeah, this group are the young punks of the Iron Men.”
“Punks, how?”
“Strikers, wannabe’s, hang arounds.They’re trying to make a name for themselves.”Warren suddenly reached beneath the bar, pulled out a gigantic club and slammed it on the bar, causing Paul to jump.He saw a movement in the mirror and out of the corner of his eye, and ducked just as a closed fist was aimed at his head.He twirled on the stool, reached out with both one hand and one foot and the guy who tried to attack him ended up at least ten feet away, sitting on his ass on the floor.
Paul walked over, bent down, took the knife out of this guy’s hand, grabbed him by his shirt collar close to his neck, leaned in and whispered in his ear.When the kid pissed himself, Paul shoved him away, and went back to finish is beer.The guy scrambled to his feet and ran out of the door.Everyone heard a motorcycle roar to life then scream out of the parking lot.The others who had come with him approached the bar.
“Back off,” Warren said.“You know the rules ofmybar.He provoked a fight, and this gentleman defended himself.If any blow back comes to me, or him, your actions will be reported to the officers of Iron Men.”Warren glared at them from his considerable height, which Paul estimated to be at least six foot five inches, and a good two hundred and seventy pounds, then he stood also to face the young punks.Being almost fifty, he wasn’t that out of shape yet, but these kids didn’t even look old enough to drink, let alone step foot in a bar.
It was a tense few minutes, then one of them stepped forward and only looked at Paul for several seconds before turning on his heel and going back to the pool table.Both Paul and Warren stood there for several moments, before they both released a breath.
“What the hell did you say to the kid?”Warren asked after he refilled Paul’s beer.
Paul grinned, then motioned for Warren to come closer.When the other man leaned down, Paul whispered what he said, and Warren stared at him in shock, then threw his head back and laughed.He made a quick decision.
“Will you be home on Sunday?”
“I will, why?”
“I’d like to come out and talk to you.”
“What time?”
“Eleven?”
“I’ll be there.”
“I’ll call Sally to see if your girlfriend can have that day off, and I know she takes Sunday’s off.”
“It won’t get Petra in trouble?”
“No, it’s good to know that we finally have people in our corner.I’d like to meet your girl, then I would feel better that Sally has backup if and when needed.Don’t get me wrong, I like Mary, but I think she would be one of those gals that would run screaming from a fight, or cower beneath a table and whimper.I mean no offense, but you know the type from the movies, the one that won’t shut the hell up when shit goes down.”
Paul laughed and felt several pairs of eyes on him, and sipped his beer.He had a feeling he and Warren would become good friends in the very near future.
